The man Slone was after left
Creech's trail and took to a side cleft. Slone, convinced he would soon
overhaul him, and then return to take up Creech's trail, kept on in pursuit.
Then Slone was compelled to climb. Wildfire was so superior to the other's
horse, and Slone was so keen at choosing ground and short cuts, that he would
have been right upon him but for a split in the rock which suddenly yawned
across his path. It was impassable. After a quick glance Slone abandoned the
direct pursuit, and, turning along this gulch, he gained a point where the
horse-thief would pass under the base of the rim-wall, and here Slone would
have him within easy rifle shot.
And the man, intent on getting out of the canyon, rode into the trap,
approaching to within a hundred yards of Slone, who suddenly showed himself on
foot, rifle in hand. The deep gulch was a barrier to Slone's further progress,
but his rifle dominated the situation.
"Hold on!" he called, warningly.
"Hold on yerself!" yelled the other, aghast, as he halted his horse.
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